SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Nemours Children’s Names New Hematology/Oncology Division Chief
Strengthening Pediatric Cancer Care in Central Florida
COVER STORY
Nemours Children’s Names New Hematology/Oncology Division Chief–
Strengthening Pediatric Cancer Care in Central Florida By Staff Writer
Dr. Dickens joins Nemours Children’s from the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, where he served as clinical director of pediatric oncology services and director of the pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship program. While there, he also held an endowed chair in pediatric oncology, clinical, and translational research. He completed his fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology and stem cell transplantation at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, his pediatric residency at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and holds subspecialty certification in hematology/oncology, with specialized expertise in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. For referring physicians throughout Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland, and the broader I-4 corridor, Dr. Dickens’ arrival is more than a leadership change. It signals continued investment in a program that has become one of the region’s most comprehensive resources
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY NEMOURS
Central Florida physicians now have an even stronger referral partner for children facing complex blood disorders and cancer diagnoses. Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, has named David Dickens, MD, FAAP, as Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology at the Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. His arrival brings additional leadership and subspecialty expertise to a growing program serving children with complex cancer and blood disorders statewide.
David Dickens, MD, FAAP Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
for children with complex hematologic and oncologic conditions.
A PROGRAM BUILT FOR COMPLEXITY The Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders has established itself as a leading destination in Central Florida for highly specialized, multidisciplinary pediatric cancer and blood disorder care. Rather than organizing care around a single generalized model, the program is structured around disease-specific care teams.
This disease-specific approach brings together subspecialists with focused expertise in particular diagnoses, from leukemias and lymphomas to solid tumors, brain and spinal cord tumors, and rare hematologic conditions. Pediatric Dr. David Dickens connects with his patient, Avagail, during a visit at the Nemours oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, radiation Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. oncologists, nurse navigators, social workers, and other specialists collaborate to review complex cases and coordinate individualized treatment plans with the latest evidence-based therapies.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY NEMOURS
Patients treated within a disease-specific team have access to the latest information and treatment options specific to their type of cancer. As our research presence continues to grow, we’re working to bring more emerging treatment options to children in Central Florida. For community physicians managing a child with a new or complicated diagnosis, this means that they can refer to Nemours Children’s with confidence that their patient will receive the customized care experience they deserve. 4 FLORIDA MD - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
COVER STORY
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, is one of four specialty-licensed pediatric hospitals in the state selected to receive funding through Florida’s new Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, alongside Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. Each hospital was awarded up to $7.5 million, renewable over five years, funded through the Florida Department of Health, to expand pediatric cancer clinical trials, improve treatment protocols, and accelerate research toward new cures.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY NEMOURS
A STATEWIDE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH
Avagail prepares for an infusion treatment as part of her care at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.
The incubator’s first five-year cycle is focused specifically on pediatric cancer, an area that accounts for roughly one percent of cancer cases nationally but carries an outsized burden for the families affected and has historically received less research investment than adult cancer care. For Central Florida physicians, this funding translates into real, practical benefits: expanded access to clinical trials close to home, reducing the need for families to travel out of state for experimental or specialized therapies, and accelerated adoption of new treatment protocols as they emerge from research. As division chief, Dr. Dickens will oversee a portion of this incubator After nearly three years of treatment, Lukas rings the end-of-treatment bell to make a major milestone in his journey toward recovery.
funding for Nemours Children’s, positioning him to shape how that investment translates into clinical impact for patients across the region.
CARE BEYOND CANCER TREATMENTS Pediatric Blood Disorders Nemours Children’s provides specialized evaluation and management for children and adolescents with a broad range of hematologic conditions, from common anemias to complex and rare disorders. Our pediatric hematology specialists care for patients with anemia, bleeding and clotting disorders, thrombosis, and bone marrow failure syndromes, providing comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, individualized treatment and disease management. When appropriate, care is coordinated across hematology, genetics, immunology, transfusion medicine and other pediatric specialties to ensure that patients receive an integrated approach tailored to their specific condition.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY NEMOURS
Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic While cancer care often draws the most attention, the program’s strength extends well beyond oncology. Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida maintains an extremely robust and comprehensive sickle cell disease program. It offers the kind of longitudinal, specialized management that this chronic condition demands in the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic, from routine outpatient care to management of acute complications and coordination with hematology subspecialists. This multidisciplinary approach brings these elements together to address the complex and evolving needs of each patient. Fertility Preservation The Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders is also preparing to expand its supportive care to include fertility preservation services, soon to be available to oncology patients treated at the center. This addresses a critical FLORIDA MD - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
5
COVER STORY
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY NEMOURS
but often overlooked aspect of pediatric cancer treatment. Many therapies for childhood cancers carry a risk of impairing future fertility, and access to preservation options before treatment begins can make a meaningful difference for patients and families years down the road. Bringing this service in-house and making it available for the oncology patient population reflects the program’s broader commitment to treating the whole child, not just the immediate diagnosis.
SUPPORTING THE WHOLE CHILD Because cancer and blood disorders can affect every aspect of a child’s life, comprehensive care must address emotional and psychological well-being alongside physical health. Nemours Children’s integrates mental health support into the care of patients, with access to behavioral health professionals who understand the unique challenges associated with diagnosis, treatment, chronic disease management and survivorship. Through psychosocial assessment, counseling and collaboration with the broader care team, specialists can help identify emotional or behavioral concerns early and provide individualized support for patients and their families.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR REFERRING PHYSICIANS The growth of the Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders means referring physicians gain access to an expanding range of pediatric hematology/oncology expertise in Central Florida. Dr. Dickens’ leadership adds specialized experience in leukemia and lymphoma to a multidisciplinary program focused on complex cancer and blood disorders, while continued investment in research and supportive services is expanding what the center can offer children and families closer to home. “Every child deserves access to the highest level of pediatric specialty care close to home,” said Dickens. “Our goal is to continue building a program that combines exceptional clinical expertise, multidisciplinary collaboration, innovative research, and compassionate family-centered care. We look forward to partnering with referring physicians across Florida to ensure children receive timely access to the specialized care they need while maintaining strong relationships with the providers who know them best.” Physicians interested in referring patients to the Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders can visit our referring provider page or contact the program directly.
HOW TO REFER Have a question? Call our Nurse Intake Coordinator Phone: 407.608.4944 Non-urgent referrals Phone: 407.650.7715
6 FLORIDA MD - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Luke and his nurse share a moment of comfort and connection during his hospital stay at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT Bleeding disorders Bone marrow failure and stem cell disorders Brain and central nervous system tumors Clotting disorders Hemoglobinopathies Leukemias and lymphomas Non-malignant hematologic disorders Sickle cell disease Solid tumors Thalassemia Vascular malformations